Roadrunner's Digest

Dear Farquhar Families and Staff,

Happy Sunday! I hope you've enjoyed the beautiful fall weather this weekend. This week we're excited to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week at Farquhar. Be sure to scroll down for Spirit Week details! There is also still time for families to participate in our Mental Health Awareness Open ROCK on Friday, October 25. See details below if you are interested and available to participate!

Parent conferences will take place at Farquhar MS on Monday, November 25 from 1-7pm. Similar to last year, we will be offering one-on-one conferences with teachers as well as arena-style conferences in the evening. Families will sign up for conferences on ParentVUE. As the time approaches, I will share more specific details and directions for how to sign up. However, I wanted to give you a heads up to set an alarm for the sign up release, which will take place at 5:15pm on Sunday, November 17.

Thank you so much for your support and collaboration, and have an excellent week!

In this newsletter you will find:

• This week's bell schedules
• This week's Roadrunner Shout Outs
• After School Activities Schedule
• FMS Counseling Updates
• NEW: Mental Health Awareness Spirit Week
• NEW: Come to the Fall Party 10/30
• NEW: School Pictures are still available!
• TIMELY: Outdoor Ed Parent Information Night 10/24
• NEW & TIMELY: Game-Changer Conference 10/26
• NEW: Spooky Science @ UMD
• ICYMI: Social Studies CWT Night Materials
• TIMELY: NEC Open Houses Are Approaching!
• MCPS Things to Know

PTA Corner:

• Volunteers needed
• TIMELY: Black and Brown Coalition Town Hall with Dr. Taylor 10/23
• TIMELY: Support Restaurant Night 10/24
• NEW: Upcoming Events and Winter Social
• Join the PTA

Thank you to the following Roadrunners who have made a positive impact on our learning community!

• Annaliese Crossetto
• Ms. Rose
• Ms. Bruns
• Abigail Mason
• Cynthia Merchant
• Sylvia and Isla Zelo
• Ruth Asegu
• Yashvi Asarawala
• Mahider Hailu
• Amber Gramkow
• Magnolia Shepardson
• Menna Asegu
• Candice Morgan
• Liana Taddesse
• Annaliese Crosetto
• Emma Kirkpatrick
• AnnaLee
• Jenna Ryan
• A todos los miembros de la facultad de FMS

Would you like to recognize a student or staff member?

Submit a SHOUT-OUT!

Thank you for taking a moment to thank a Roadrunner who has made a meaningful difference.

Activities end at 4:15 and students must be picked up no later than 4:30. Students should take the activity bus if they cannot be picked up by 4:30, as the main office closes at this time.

Please check out the School Counseling Website for information regarding community events, SSL opportunities and mental health resources.

Farquhar Middle School will be recognizing Red Ribbon Week and Mental Health Awareness Week from October 21st-October 25th.

The purpose of the week is to highlight the importance of making positive and healthy choices for our mental health and well-being. Students will be able to participate in a variety of activities throughout the week such as spirit days, a grade level assembly, lunchtime activities and a special open rock. Friday's Open Rock will highlight activities to promote positive coping strategies. Students can also choose to visit and pet kittens and a therapy dog during the special Open Rock time.

Parents/Guardians can still host an activity for interested students to stop by and participate! Activities could include Legos, crafts, knitting, juggling, yoga, dance, board games, crafts etc. If you are interested in hosting a table for our Roadrunners on October 25, please complete the interest form below!

It is not too late to order your student’s school picture.

We make it simple!

Order online at mylifetouch.com with a student ID # or Picture Day ID# EVTPKM8H6

Join us this Thursday for an in-person parent informational meeting about Outdoor Education. A Spanish translator will be present.

• Where: FMS Cafeteria
• When: 6:30 - 7:15pm

For those unable to attend in person, a Zoom option is available with the details below:

Join Zoom Meeting

https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/81330659899?pwd=0rF2vmxhQTX2jCsJE4zVJiDneOb9qt.1

Meeting ID: 813 3065 9899

Passcode: 874289

Attention Caregivers,

Teachers distributed Outdoor Ed packets Friday. Payments and permission slips are due on Thursday 10/31/24. Students are encouraged to submit their payments and permission slips as soon as possible. Please visit School Cash Online to submit payment.

All permission slips are to be turned into Mr. Lichvar, in room 004.

Any questions please ask or email Mr. Eisenhower, in room 009.

Young males of color and their parents are invited to attend the annual Game-Changer Conference on Saturday, October 26. ***Registration to attend this event closes TOMORROW, October 21.***

Register HERE.

Conference Theme:

"The World is Shifting Forward! Focus Forward and Compete."

Join us for a transformative experience designed to reignite and build the social-emotional wellness, confidence, and values our young males need. Tailored for African American and minority students from 4th grade to 12th, this conference is a beacon of hope and empowerment.

​

Details:

• Date: Saturday, October 26, 2024

• Time: 8:00 a.m. to 12 Noon

• Location: Montgomery College - Germantown Campus - Globe Hall,
  20200 Observation Drive, Germantown, MD 20876

• Safety: Masks are optional but recommended for added protection.

Learn more about the annual Game Changer Conference here.

Physics Discovery Days are back! On Saturday, October 26th at 10 AM, join the UMD Physics Outreach Team as we create glow-in-the-dark lava lamps, slime monsters, catapults, and more. Please register using this form. Discovery Days will begin in John S. Toll Physics Building Lecture Hall 1410, and move through the building for each activity.

Parents, in case you didn't have the opportunity to attend our Common Writing Task night, you can review the presentation here.

Each week, MCPS shares a community message with helpful system-wide information, reminders, and invitations to events. Though they are sent out via email, we will always link them here.

VOLUNTEERS: Our FMS staff is AMAZING and we are in need of volunteers to support with snacks for the upcoming staff meetings. Please sign up here. The next staff meeting is Monday, October 7th and we need a volunteer!

The Black and Brown Coalition for Education Equity & Excellence is hosting a town hall event with MCPS Superintendent Dr. Thomas Taylor on October 23rd at 6pm.

We will have our first Restaurant Night scheduled at Chipotle on Nov. 4th from 4-8pm. Check out the flyer below for details.

• MLK Day of Service- January 2025: More details forthcoming.
• Winter Social- February 2025: More details forthcoming. If you are interested in joining the Winter Social Committee, please sign-up here

Direct donations to the FMS PTA are our primary source of fundraising! Help us avoid sales-based fundraisers!

• If you have already joined, but have NOT made a tax-deductible donation, we encourage you to do so. Any amount is appreciated!
• If you have not yet joined, please join, and donate, today!

Your direct donations help the PTA fund:

• Math, English, and STEM materials
• Counseling and wellness initiatives
• Field trips
• Arts, music, and athletic activities,
• Staff appreciation
• Parent/family resources

Feel free to contact me anytime and follow Farquhar on Twitter!

Email: Angelica_L_Smith@mcpsmd.org
Phone: 240-740-1200
Twitter: @farquharms